The Fortunate Ones

What a complex and emotional story.

What I enjoyed most about this story was the fact that I could see myself in Brooke. The desire to see the world, to live, to get out of town and experience different cultures filled with wonders and unique sights.

Lucky me I had nothing to hold me back.

Brooke on the other hand fell in love with a guy that had very different ideas and goals for his immediate future. James 11 years older, already experienced all of what Brooke was still dreaming about. He accomplished so much in life, that he couldn’t wait to have his own family, wife and possible children to come home to after a long day at work.

It was unavoidable that their ideas of what they wanted out of life clashed. Their fledgling relationship was threatened from the very beginning but I applaud them for trying, even though something had to give. It was just a question of when and who would do the compromising.

I love the direction the author chose to took the story.

It was the right decision for Brooke to follow her dreams. Otherwise years later regret would have reared its ugly head. The Fortunate Ones packed an emotional punch that will stay with me for a long time.

On top of that the all over feeling I got from The Fortunate Ones reminded me very much of my favorite book by RS Grey – Scoring Wilder. James was a wonderful guy, steady, successful, down-to-earth. He had it all worked out and so much faith in Brooke that I really truly swooned. He met her and was intrigued enough to keep on going even so they were at such different periods in life.

Brooke was spunky, self-assured, and goal-oriented. I loved her drive, her dreams, and her pragmatic personality. Even though it ended up being a much more difficult decision than expected, I was pleased that she followed her dreams.

I also applaud the author for giving two characters that had such different goals in life a chance for a happily ever after.

It was necessary for Brooke to go through with her plans to find herself, and I greatly appreciate that the author didn’t have her change her mind. It was so very important to the story but most of all to Brooke to follow her dreams.

I might not have LOVED their time apart, but it was a necessary step for Brooke and wonderful story arc.

As always I’m looking forward to the next R.S. Grey book.

The Fortunate Ones is a standalone romance and is definitely one not to miss!

Brooke Davenport is in between au pair/tutoring roles ever since her last boss fired her. Now temporarily working at the local country club to keep her funds afloat, she witnesses every day how the other half lives with their designer clothes, mega bucks jewellery and altogether entitled lives. Although she herself comes from money she is all about supporting herself, so she lives in a local co-op one room, and holds steadfast to her dreams of travel and freedom. But whilst working at the club she comes into contact with James Ashwood who she holds a secret desire for (which the other women and staff at the club also do but very vocally!) One night he more or less ordered her to sit with him and have a drink and it was to bring forth a whole change to both of their lives and how they thought it would be.

James Ashwood is a high flying CEO of a hugely successful business. Everybody wants a piece of him but little know his true self and of his dreams. When speaking with Brooke he feels an infinity with the younger woman and they soon become entangled in a deeply passionate but heart wrenching love affair.

Although this is said to be a Romcom I would say it is more of a hot contemporary romance as it is not a light fluffy read. There are plenty of laughs and banter but the intensity and desire between Brooke and James deserve more of a title than a romcom. It was a bit of a slow burn and the backwards and forwards of these two was like watching Wimbledon at times! However it was gripping from the first page and one of those reads you just cannot put down.

James was an instant hit and in his introduction to the storyline he was deeply hypnotic and enigmatic, one of those book men that have you tingling from the onset. Brooke was a character that is easily one you can identify with and her hopes and dreams. I loved that there was an age gap (Brooke is 25 and James is 36) so each at a different stage in their lives but each wanting each other in different circumstances. This lead to some much soul searching angst and drama that had me hooked.

This was a fantastic storyline that I would highly recommend and it is one of those where you are left with a book hangover at the end as it was that good. A MUST READ! Five Stars.

The Fortunate Ones is another great read from R.S. Grey! With an incredibly down-to-earth and relatable characters, readers will get caught up in the romance between Brooke and James as well as fall in love with a heroine who refuses to give up on her dreams.

The character I connected with during this novel is Brooke, which is often unusual, but I though R.S. Grey did a wonderful job developing a character in her twenties who is searching for her place in the world. Her hang ups from her past, while motivating her present choices, help to develop her complexity. No one can fault her for wanting to experience life and travel. Although it hurts the reader, James, and Brooke, the maturity she uses with her actions after making her decision and how she attempts to lessens the hurt makes me adore her more.

James is a hero who is pretty aloof for me as a character, and I found myself feeling a bit disconnected from him. He is the standard attractive, rich, and successful man. There is a deepness in his eyes, and he is an incredibly serious character. The complexity of his character, though is not really explored, and I found I knew little about his background to truly connect with him. What makes him a likable character when he is with Brooke. He comes alive with her, and we get to see more of him when he is with her as his emotions are more exposed. These are the moments readers will love James.

This story is surprisingly low angst, especially based on the synopsis. There are also several areas that the author could have made incredible angsty, but she didn’t and I found I liked the story more for it. The tone of the story and low drama fits these characters who are trying to navigate their timing, their feelings and their desires. The author’s choice of character who will be making amends and rectifying the conflict is also another aspect of the story I absolutely adored. Add to that the epilogue and R.S. Grey has created another great romantic comedy.

This light and fun romance will have readers reliving their romances of their twenties. They will connect with the heroine and rejoice in her journey to self-discovery and love.
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ARC received in exchange for an honest review

Brooke has dreams of travelling the world and working as an au pair after graduating from college with fluent French and Spenish. She is trying to secure a new job but in the meantime she is working at the Twin Oaks Country Club as a cabana girl serving the ‘fortunate ones’ – self entitled, privileged people of Austin.

Spending her days running around after snobby bitches and their spoilt kids, being leared at by old balding men and propositioned by young hot shots is not how she envisioned her job to be but it is what it is. There is one bonus of working there though, James Ashwood. He is the very gorgeous, eligible club member that all the women fantasise about.

Nearing the end of a shift one evening, she is surprised to see him sitting alone at the bar and even more surprised when he invites her to sit with him for a drink. Brooke discovers that he is not as arrogant as she first thought he might be, in fact he is actually a really nice guy who is passionate about his business. After enjoying each other’s conversation they part ways and Brooke goes back to admiring him from afar.

‘I don’t want to overplay just how devastatingly handsome he looks. I mean, the heavens do crack open and tiny angels do start singing from above. That part is real, but I’m not sure if the earth really does tilt on its axis or if I’m just feeling unsteady perched on these Manolos.’

That one moment they shared has left a lasting effect on both of them. There was a connection between them that they both felt and James seems to want to explore it more. There is a problem in doing so though. They are both at very different places in their lives, Brooke has wanderlust and wants to see the world, James is busy launching a new product for his company. James is ready to settle down, marry and have children, Brooke is years away from wanting that with anyone.

Cutting their losses now, before they get too deep, seems to be the only option and the old adage ‘if you love someone set them free….’ comes into play. However, as much as they try to move on with their lives the connection between them never fades. What is the very thing you are running away from is the only thing that will fill the missing gap in your life?

You know you have enjoyed a book immensely when hours later you are still thinking of the characters and what they might be doing now. I wish I could open up my kindle app and read one or more chapters on these two, I adored them both. The story line was authentic, realistic and didn’t feel fabricated at all. It wasn’t rushed and flowed really well. The dilemma felt genuine and was handled with maturity and unpretentious outcomes. There were also some one-liners that had me snorting out loud, especially about baking pies and sitting on it!

James is every girls dream spouse. He has women literally hanging off him trying to win his affections when he is out and about. He needs a partner who intrigues him and to have a reason to leave work for every night. He is CEO of his own company and enjoys spending his down time at the Country Club where he meets Brooke. She is in between jobs as an au pair working at the club as a cabana girl. One night filling in for her sister Ellie in the dining room, these two hit it off. It’s not insta love, but the sexual tension is all-powerful. Together they are otherworldly.

To date, I feel this is the best book I’ve read from this author. It’s delivered in a different perspective that is pulled off brilliantly. It is told in Brooke’s POV and her wit and sass is divine. Her self discovery was delightful and moving, and working out the difference between needing and wanting was profound. Even though she could be considered one of “The Fortunate Ones”, she likes hanging out with all walks of life. James was as down to earth as she was, which made them the perfect pair. It wasn’t just his good looks that made me want to read more about him, or the fact that I swooned right along with B every time he appeared. I was enthralled with his ethics and supportive nature. And ok, I am partial to dimples!

I feel that Ellie might have an excellent story to tell, which is being set up nicely in this book. Her adventure is something I’d love to read. She is very similar to her younger sister, but a little bit more vulnerable which is touching. Fingers crossed. ??

*I received a copy for an honest review.
**Reviewed by Monique for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog.

Brooke Davenport is a gorgeous 25 yr. old woman living in Austin, Texas. She graduated from UT & majored in French & Spanish, and then spent a year traveling. She wants to work for a family & tutor abroad as an au pair, but until she lands her dream job, she still needs to pay rent. She comes from a wealthy family, but wants to make it on her own. While she looks for her ideal job, she makes ends meet at the Twin Oaks Country Club where she’s worked as a cabana girl for the past three months.

The only perk at her job is the delicious eye candy that is James Ashwood. James is a rich, successful 36 yr. old businessman who knows how to wear a suit. He’s stunningly beautiful, & talked about by all the females at the club. He’s a legacy member, a tech mogel, & one of Austin’s most eligible bachelors. She’s only caught glimpses of him in passing, & seen him from afar in his Porsche, then one evening she comes face to face with her secret crush. He’s alone at the bar & asks her to join him. He’s even more gorgeous close up, & she’s embarrassed by how affected she is by him.

James is charming & sexy, and soon Brooke is completely infatuated with him, but when things begin to progress between them she gets scared & puts on the brakes. They have different life plans. He wants a commitment & to settle down, and she doesn’t want strings. She has goals & wants to be free to follow her dreams, but will love derail her plans?

I really loved this book and this beautiful man. James Ashwood was super swoony & I couldn’t put this book down. R.S. Grey has become a go to author for me. I’ve read every book she’s written since I first opened one of her books. She always creates book boyfriends I fall in love with. I highly recommend this one! It’s fabulous!

Firstly, I call dibs on James Ashwood!!! So now, that we cleared that I can shout from the top of my lungs that I loved this book so much! It was sooo good. It was funny, cute and hot, with great characters and hilarious banters. It was a perfection in Rom Com genre.

Brooke is dreamer. She always wanted to travel, to see the world and to work with kids. After she double-majored in Spanish and French she travelled a year and worked as an au pair in France, but since she came back to Texas, she never could find the perfect job. Although she came from “old money”, she still lives in a 10-bedroom co-op house at the campust with a bunch of weird roommates (BTW I loved this!!), and she is working at the Twin Oaks Country Club as a cabana girl serving the ‘fortunate ones’, the rich who loves to spend their money and time there.

James Ashwood is also member of the club. He is every woman’s dream: smart, rich and insanely hot. But he is so much more than that. One late night Brook finds him alone at the bar of the Country Club and they start chatting. Brook is really surprised about how she enjoys the time with the man, but they are too different, in age and also in every other aspects of their lives. But they say opposites attracts, right? ;)

The characters were amazing and I truly loved the contrast between them. I laughed so much at their banters and I swooned at their sweetest moments. I liked how the second part of the book got a little more serious hue and I loved Brooke’s decision at the end.

R.S. Grey never disappoints, and she was able to bring us another 5 star read again. This book is not just hot and funny, but it teaches us about the importance of following our dreams. I truly loved it and I honestly recommend it!

The Fortunate Ones are the affluent who look to Twin Oaks Country Club as their personal playground. They flaunt their wealth and excess, and in a world where money reigns supreme, it’s Brooke Davenport’s job as cabana girl to meet all requests with a smile. Pampering over inflated egos is tough work when you’re as snarky as she is, but the upside is it pays the bills as she searches for her perfect position as an Au Pair.

The glimmer of joy she gets from her role comes in the form of devastatingly handsome, James Ashwood. His attendance is well documented and leaves many a flustered female in his wake. Although having never met him, his presence alone is a guilty pleasure Brooke is (secretly) unashamedly happy to revel in. Until now she’s contentedly lusted from afar, but being suckered into a dinner shift puts a change to all of that.

What should have been a power imbalance instead is the tentative beginnings of a friendship. I loved Brooke’s forwardness and the fact she wasn’t at all intimated by James’ wealth or success. The sexual chemistry kept me on edge and I rejoiced in the attraction they circled around. There are notable differences that should have made them an odd pairing, but the course of true love never did run as smooth as a Porsche.

From the cover to the banter, I loved it all! There were layers to this story that that added a great dynamic and made it all the more enjoyable. As well as the frivolity of the luxury, there was personal growth and enough emotion to pull at my heart strings. I was completely sold with its opulence. With The Fortunate Ones R.S. Grey sold the fantasy and I 100% bought into it.

The Fortunate Ones is sexy, witty, romantic, angsty and full of charm. This may be my favorite R.S. Grey book yet! One heck of an emotional roller-coaster!

Brooke Davenport spends her days working as a cabana girl at the luxurious country club. It’s not her dream job, but at least it’s income while she tries to find a job as an au pair. There she meets James Ashwood- sexy, charming, confident, and pretty irresistible. There is this instant attraction and connection between the two of them, even though they are opposites in a lot of ways. The more time they spend together, the fire between them gets stronger and stronger and it starts to feel like the real thing.

Only thing is, James is 11 years older than her. He is successful, experienced and is ready to settle down. Brooke likes the idea of HEA, but she isn’t there yet. There is so much she wants to do, so many places she wants to travel. And while she wants James, there are other things she wants in life too. This is the perfect example of “is love enough?’.

First of all, I loved Brooke. She was strong willed and independent. A hard worker and a dreamer. She wasn’t about finding her true love, she was about making her dreams come true.

James was cocky, intelligent and unexpectedly romantic and sensitive. He knows what he wants, and what he wants is Brooke.

Their romance is addictive. It’s a bit of a slow burn, filled with sexual tension, heart felt moments, swoony gestures and steamy encounters. It’s heart breaking and raw at times. It felt so darn realistic.

You have to read this book!! You will not be sorry! Just be ready for a heck of a ride!

Filled with humor and an enchanting romance, The Fortunate Ones had the perfect blend of elements to satisfy any reader. In what I consider her best novel yet, Grey captures the vulnerable moments vividly and with honesty, but also with a certain sense of self-deprecating humor. The romance was strong, steamy, and filled with things left unsaid. The resulting push-pull between them evoked great sexual tension throughout the novel.

Though I may not be at all like Brooke, her ballsy nature being so very strong, I couldn’t help but admire her even when she took steps I wouldn’t dream of doing myself. Her initial hesitance on her plans, her love life, soon gave way to bullheaded determination and there was nothing that was going to stop her at that point. She was brave, but inherently so very vulnerable, and it was easy to get a sense of that while reading–to empathize with her reasons for being that way. She and James suited one another easily, complementing and contrasting in equal measure, creating a combustible attraction between them, and I was instantly charmed by both of them.

With a my-face-hurts-from-smiling-so-much reaction to reading this story, along with a good feeling in my heart, I can say that The Fortunate Ones was an unputdownable, romantically charming story. Fast-paced but fully plotted, there wasn’t a moment where I was pulled from their journey. Grey excels at mixing witty humor with romance, and here she created another wonderful story for readers to truly devour.

4.5 stars!!!

The Fortunate Ones is my absolute favorite R.S. Grey romantic comedy to date. Even at the beginning, I knew that Brooke and James will go places in my heart. And they didn’t fail me. I fell so hard for these two, face lit and flat on the ground!

It felt so good to reconnect with a solid alpha male like James Ashwood! This kingpin had me smiling like a pathetic school girl. I was so fascinated by his unreachable vibe. Mysterious and callous sometimes but surprisingly thoughtful and sweet. James is a man of few words but damn when he opens his beautiful mouth you will swoon. He is amazing in every sense of the word, building his own empire to benefit others. As Brooke puts it, he is not just a man in a stylish suit.

Let’s talk about cabana girl, Brooke Davenport. She is so animated, hilarious with all out inner
monologues. And even if her family is well off she’s hardworking and not the entitled kind. Over thinker, hasty, indecisive? Yes, all her! Now how come I still enjoyed our heroine? R.S. Grey was great at putting me in Brooke’s shoes. And I felt that R.S. Grey was unyielding with her personality all throughout the story. Brooke is a giver. She gives in not only to James but almost to everyone in her life. So, there’s no surprise that she easily succumbs to James Ashwood. I don’t know what I would do with myself too if I come face to face with that sexy son of a gun. I would like to think that Brooke’s major decisions are not in vain, she needed some growing to do. I also felt that her insecurities were justified by the surrounding family drama.

The author gave me a very vivid picture of how the major characters are so different. She also did a great job intertwining the major conflicts with the early revelations of their life longings. Believe it or not I loved the chasing. Usually I get mixed feelings with unending cycles in love stories but this one was a total exception. There’s so much sexual tension and I got addicted with the push and pull. Even though this is only written in Brooke’s POV, I was fully content with what I was gathering about the hero. I loved that it was well paced with slight slow burn that I always pine for.

How this story ended felt slightly abrupt. But that didn’t entirely ruin the experience for me because I got all the feels I wanted. It was either I was giddy with all the romanticism or my heart was being poked by all the painful parts. The Fortunate Ones has all the necessary ingredients of a romantic comedy - romance strong, amusing banters, firecracker of a chemistry and drama so fitting. You will also fall for the secondary characters that gave more entertainment value. I can’t wait to read this again with a bucket of ice cream by my side and some feel good songs in the background. It was truly chicken soup for the tired soul!

Another adorable book knocked out of the park by the amazingly talented RS Grey. I truly feel like she’s back in her groove, writing sweet romantic stories filled with enough love and laughter to turn even the most difficult of cynics into a puddle of sappy goo on the floor.

Brooke is just wonderful. She’s wistful, filled with wanderlust and totally clueless for most of the story. She’s headstrong and opinionated and I found her to be completely charming. This, of course, makes her extremely relatable and easy to love on. Honestly, she pretty much makes the book. It’s her coming of age story, her journey that makes things interesting and her personality that keeps you interested the entire time.

My only reason for giving this book 4-4.5 instead of 5 Stars is that I didn’t feel that strong of a connection to the super sexy James. Sure, I was giddy with potential in the beginning of the story but I never quite felt like I got to know him all that well. He’s handsome, debonair and he’s obviously a total dreamboat with a heart of gold but since we don’t get inside his head it’s hard to fully fall for him.

All things considered and speculated over, I’m absolutely smitten with this book. I thought it was written wonderfully, it had a catchy premise and I’m hopeful for a spinoff soon. Don’t sit around thinking about it, grab this one and add it to your favorite shelf ASAP!

Another fantastic romantic comedy from one of my very favorite romance authors. R.S. Grey's stories are impossible not to love.

Brooke is spending her summer working as a cabana girl at a local country club, a job she thoroughly despises, but a way to earn money nonetheless. Along with her sister, Ellie, who works there as well, Brooke forces a fake smile on her face day after day to please the club members and add money to her pocket. The one good thing about this job... James Ashwood, a wealthy and successful entrepreneur who is, needless to say, easy on the eyes. Just watching him from afar adds a giddiness to her, but when she has the opportunity to speak to him (and even spend TIME with him!) she finds out there's much more to him than his pretty amazing exterior.

As with all of R.S. Grey's books, I was giggling, swooning, and all out filled to the tippity-top with emotions throughout this read. There's a reason I read everything this talented indie author writes... she's amazing and makes me feel things for her characters and stories that not many other authors can do on a regular basis. If you're a romance reader, I highly recommend this story, as well as her others. A perfect romantic comedy to have you grinning from ear to ear from beginning to end.

(Thank you to R.S. Grey for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

James and Brooke are in such different places in life. At 25 Brooke is so close to her goals to really start living, traveling and experiencing life. Being 11 years older James is well past that stage, wanting to settle down with a wife and family. Regardless of their current life goals, the chemistry between them is hard to ignore. They try, they really do. But how do you completely ignore someone when you can’t stop thinking about them every second of the day?

This isn’t your typical romance story. There’s no insta love or a struggle that’s quickly passed and moving on to a relationship. These two drag themselves through quite a bit and over a lot of time. I couldn’t put the book down wondering where each encounter would lead them to next.

R.S. Grey really has something special about her story telling. Are her books in the usual rom com romance genre? Sure. But there’s something so unique and special to her writing and characters that they become an instant favorite every time. I can’t pin down exactly what it is that separates her from the rest, but whatever it is, it’s there. After reading The Fortunate Ones it just made me want to go back and reread some other past favorites of hers because it’s always fun getting lost in her books and characters.

This book is EVERYTHING!!! I have been eagerly anticipating another rom-com read from R.S. Grey and this book does not disappoint.

Brooke and James have all the smoldering sexual tension I could have ever asked for. Their chemistry is off the charts. I love that this book doesn’t follow your usual storyline, it wasn’t predictable and didn’t feel like yet another girl meets irresistible boy and starts a game of cat and mouse. It has so much heart which is something I have grown to love with R.S. Grey books.

I was absolutely cheering on Brooke and James. I love the relationship she has with her friends and her sister. It was great to see more of these characters as well and how much they helped Brooke (in their own crazy way).

I was positively SQUEALING by the final chapters and I really really hope a companion novel following Brooke’s sister is in the works!! She really reminds me my other favourite little sister Georgie from the Summer Games series and A Place in the Sun.

Thank you Rachel for an amazing read! This is perfect for the holiday’s and a great gift for your new adult rom-com loving friend if not for yourself (perfect buddy read material if I do say so myself)

What a sexy, hilarious, and just all around BRILLIANT romance! RS Grey blows me away with every new release! It’s like she knows exactly what I need at that point in time. Everything from the writing, to the flow, to the character development, was just PERFECTION! If you’re a fan of a slow burn romances, then THE FORTUNATE ONES is right up your alley. Set aside a full night for this read, because you are NOT going to want to put it down for even a second!

This was a slow building romance with brilliant bouts of comic relief that left me with a huge smile on my face. Brooke and James were just so damn cute together. Their witty commentary and flirtatious banter made this book what it truly is…a MUST READ, HIGHLY ADDICTIVE ROMANCE!

I’ve never met an RS Grey rom-com that I didn’t like, and THE FORTUNATE ONES was just a spectacular addition to an already amazing book list by a very talented writer. I don’t care the genre, but as long as Grey keeps writing, I’ll be here devouring them as quickly as possible!

*ARC provided by the author*

I really liked this one, despite me yelling at my kindle, apparently loud enough to interrupt my husband watching the news (why would you even want to watch the news anyway!!)

Brooke is a 25 years old, and is currently working at a country club as a cabana girl. She is waiting to land her dream job and hopes to travel the world. What she did not plan on was to fall for James Ashwood, a rich tech mogul who is drop dead gorgeous and has taken an interest in Brooke. Their chemistry is hot from the very beginning, from sultry stares to tingling touches. The push and pull is relentless, and James does not want to give up. But Brooke has life plans, and when it is time to make the big decision, she realizes no matter her choice, it will be heartbreaking, hence me yelling at my kindle. Even though I didn’t like her decision(s), I did understand them.

It was a very enjoyable read, even though the pace was slow in some areas, it did pick up to finish up strong with a nice epilogue.

Yes, finally!!! A journey so good, I could hardly put the book down!!
As we grow into adulthood, there are always some defining moments. Moments that can make or break your future. And sometimes even when the choices are scary, they are necessary.

Brooke is a mid 20’s woman, who comes from well off roots but chooses to pave her own way and a future that is something all her own. Her dreams of travel and adventure never leave her in one place for long.

James is an older, more matured man who has mastered many things and has accomplished so much building his company, but he’s ready for more. Ready to put down roots.

When these two clash its practically combustible. The chemistry was so organic, you felt like you were there. The story these two take you on, is perfectly paced. So much growth and maturity on both parts, gives you all the feels. There were times I wanted to smack them both to just accept they are soul mates and other times I cried tears of joy of the revelations Brooke makes about her own self and her personal growth.

“some people carve their initials so deeply into your heart, they’ll always be a part of you.”

No matter, time, distance, and life growth, your heart will alway lead you back to where it belongs.

When Austin’s most eligible bachelor, James Ashwood, saunters into her life, Brooke Davenport is struggling to find the job of her dreams that will allow her to do what she studied for and fulfill her wanderlust as opposed to being tied to a job she hates serving snooty club members. But James has a five year plan of his own. Can this ill-suited couple overcome their age gap and find a way for their different life paths to intersect in order to find their happy ever after?

R.S. Grey writes about self-discovery and growth well. Her book will speak to anyone who has ever felt the need to discover oneself before anything else including lifelong commitment that come in beautiful packages like James Ashwood. Brooke and James may be at different stages of their lives, but their romance makes a compelling argument for the beauty of giving someone space, and a love that will prevail over time and distance. If you prefer your romance with a little more on the angsty side, this is a good book for you.

The Fortunate Ones, like all other R.S. Grey books I've read, pulled me in from the beginning pages. Drawing me into the characters and their lives and leading me on a journey with them. A journey full of laughs, swoons, and so much more.

James and Brooke couldn't be further apart, they come from different worlds - He a rich legacy member of the country club and she a hard working woman at the country club. Everyone notices James and everyone talks about him - whether its true or not they all have an opinion and Brooke hears it all day in and day out - and then one night James asks her to sit down with him.

Their story isn't smooth sailing, though there were moments that seemed that way. Instead their journey took me on an emotional roller coaster, from laughs, to tears, to hurting for them, to a strong desire to help them whip things in to shape. I was hooked on this characters and desperate to see them figure things out and find their happy together.

The Fortunate Ones is a book about Brooke Davenport who is cabana girl for a country club in Austin. Brooke (like many of the other girls) is infatuated with the sexy James Ashwood, though she hides it well. James is a techie businessman who looks to using his products to help those less fortunate. Brooke does a great job at admiring James from afar until he asks her to have a drink one night at the bar at the club.

Brooke and James know they’re drawn to each other but both of them have different futures in mind. Their differences in a 5 year plan keeps holding Brooke back, confusing herself on what she really wants out of life, now that James has her questioning everything. I give it 4 stars because while I loved Brooke, her decisions/ emotions were looping in circles which I didn’t enjoy too much. She was a little of a roller coaster, but it also brought out her funny side.

Other then that it has a great plot and storyline! I really enjoyed this book, it was a insta-love romance but also had a slow burn aspect to it at the same time , which made it really interesting. TFO is funny and romantic, I definitely would recommend it!

*thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an arc***

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Welcome to Twin Oaks where everyone knows everyone’s business and where you might meet the person who will change everything. R.S. Grey nails the slow burn in this new book and will have you on edge wondering what will happen next.

Brooke is working at Twin Oaks Country Club temporarily while she is trying to find another position as a au pair. And the person who the whole club is always talking about is James. And while Brooke is trying not to get caught up in it all, she can’t ignore the pull she has towards him.

James is a business man who is always on the go. And when he catches sight of Brooke, he is drawn to her. But their first night out does not go as planned and he thinks she is not what he thought.

But do they both want the same thing? Or are their life plans too different to make it work?

This book was fun, full of unexpected events and sexy, might I add. If there was an award for a plotline with the opposite of cliche, this book would definitely get it! Its so refreshing to be able to read a book that you don't know what to expect will happen next. It is full of surprises and a breath of fresh air.

There's nothing much for me to say about this book other than once again the author, R.S. Grey has done a splendid job in capturing her readers attention with a storyline as fun as this. I love that whenever I read a book by this author, it'll take me no time to reach the last page of the book.

This book is like a reality calling in the life we live nowadays where the riches, the middle class and the poor live in a society. It is also best to reflect on ourselves by the way we act to one another.

I was very “fortunate” (ha, see what I did there?) to have received an ARC of The Fortunate Ones. I binge read this entire book, in one sitting, because I couldn’t put it down. In all seriousness, this book was AMAZING … complicated, heartfelt, honest, hilarious & hot!

James Ashwood, swoon, I cannot contain my obsession with this character! He appears to be your typical wealthy businessman; born into a good family, who has it all. James is quite the phenomenon around the Twin Oaks Country Club. Brooke Davenport, cabana girl, acts impervious to his allure. Until she isn’t.

Brooke is a strong-willed young woman, searching for purpose after life throws a wrench in her plans. But she doesn’t quit. At times, she had me wanting to throw my book across the room. However, I truly appreciated the complexity of her character. These two broke my heart, and put it back to together! James & Brooke don’t play by the rules. They wrote their own.

This is the first book I’ve read by Rachel, and I was not disappointed! I’ve already started looking into what I will be reading next by her. The Fortunate Ones is a MUST READ friends, plain and simple!!

I devoured it ❤ Such a fantastic story.It has everything I want in a story, slow burn,angst,passion,intensity and hot moments.I didn't want to end it, because it was so good.I cannot express how much I loved it.

Brooke and James rocked this story.I was so intrigued with both of them, I couldn't wait to see how things will end up for these two.Their chemistry is off the charts hot and I loved their relationship.Brooke is sassy and James dark,smart and sexy.Can you imagine these two together? They are like an explosion each time they were together.

There isn't a book I haven't read from Rachel and this one is one of her best works.If you are looking for an addictive story and amazing characters to rock your world this is perfect.

Wasn’t much romance in this story. I found James a bit cold. Lacking in passion. Same with Brook. A couple of hot six scenes was the total sum of their romance. They didn’t really interact most of the book and when they did it was mostly tense. I found both characters selfish and inconsiderate. Not enough time put into developing a relationship. Not one of my favorites from Ms Grey

So I feel mixed about this book. In the beginning the story was delightful. I liked Brooke’s quirkiness..the fact that she came from a wealthy family but wants to make her own way. The humor and early interactions with James were great. But the part where she left to be a tutor for a family in Spain and being gone for more than a year...just didn’t work for me. It just made no sense that she couldn’t find a valuable job in Texas but needed to leave the country. Also, the fact that he waited for her when they had barely dated just didn’t ring true. So there were some really fun parts to the book and Brooke’s relationship with her sister was great, but I just wanted more.

This was another great romantic comedy by Rachel but probably not my favorite of her books. Yet again there is great banter between the leads- Brooke and James. They have great chemistry but I feel like it takes a little bit longer for their relationship to develop and then all of a sudden they are apart for long period. I get why Brooke makes the choices she does along the way but it leaves me feeling like I don't get enough of James and Brooke together. I also felt a little rushed in the end. I almost feel like we need another book for them they are such great characters.

Review by Cathy

This book wasn't quite what I expected. There was no courtship, no resetting, etc. Just a whole lot of miscommunication, undeveloped relationship and toward the middle I was wanting him to walk away. The epilogue was great, but anticlimactic. The entire ending was anticlimactic. I have been on an R.S. Grey kick, I love romantic comedy. This one just didn't have the same feel as the others. I even found myself skimming through sections, which I haven't done with the authors books previously.

So.... I devoured this book in a matter of hours. Mainly because I didn't realize I had been blessed with the ARC until I opened my kindle this morning. But that's exactly what this book was, a Blessing.

You know those books that make you swoon? Like, legitimate butterfly induced nausea as though your heart was about to burst out of your chest? Yes, that was this book. My inner voice was screaming "SWOON" at me almost the entire book.

This is my third R.S. Grey book and, by far, my favorite. JAMES ASHWOOD. The name alone induces butterflies?

Short and sweet. Well, not sweet. Not one of this author's best efforts. I've liked her other books, but this one was a stinker. Really, really did not like Brooke and the way she acted. She had a different five year plan than James did, but she couldn't let him go. She was so unlikeable and wishy washy. Always running out on him. She was 25, but acted 14 and I honestly don't know what James saw in her. None of the characters were likeable. A waste of time.

I love long books that are well written and filled with angst and emotions that sit with you even after you have finished. The heroine had a great personality and her thoughts and situations she found herself in made me smile and laugh out loud. R S Grey has absolutely outdone herself with this book. Even though it was long, I didnt want it to end and even wish there was a sequel. I would love to see them married and theyre life together. One of the best books ive read this year.

Raise your hand if you hate James and think Brooke had no reason to apologize. There's an eleven year age difference. Brooke anted to still travel and fulfill goals before settling down and James wants marriage and a family now. James has money and could travel to Spain and visit Brooke often. James didn't give up anything to make it work and Brooke sobbed and cried she's sorry over and over for pursuing her dreams, no.

I started reading this book late in the evening and ended up staying up until 2am to finish it. It was that good and I just couldn't bear not to know what happened at the end. I loved both the main characters by the end and was totally rooting for them to make it : ) I am actually going to re-read it today while on the treadmill because it's not often that I stumble on a Kindle romance that I can't put down. Highly recommend this book.

I adore the story telling of this author. She pulls you in within the first couple of chapters and you stay up half the night reading as much as you can. However in the fortunate ones, the stubborn sides of Brooke and James left me feeling frustrated and wanting to skip ahead. I love this story though and would highly recommend it, I’m just hoping for a sequel featuring Ellie and Alejandro and praying it features a little more to the future of Brooke and James.

THE FORTUNATE ONES by R.S. Grey is everything you want is a rom com: It’s witty, charming, and absolutely swoon worthy! I’ve been a huge fan of Rachel’s books for about two years now and she never disappoints. Her characters are relatable and funny. My favorite part about her books (and especially this one) is her witty protagonist. I constantly found myself laughing out loud or smiling at Brooke’s internal dialogue. And I swear I have a list of book boyfriends a mile long because of her charming leading men. Needless to say, I highly, HIGHLY recommend this!

This is a quick, cute read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The reason it doesn't get more stars is because the relationship between the h and H IMO doesn't feel developed enough before they suddenly love each other. Also, it feels like it's missing something.

The Fortunate Ones was a decent read. James and Brooke’s relationship was an intriguing one. James and Brooke were on opposite tracks of life but seeing how they navigate through everything was fun. I was truly surprised on how the story went. It definitely made the book a little more interesting and that was good. Overall, a nice read with pleasant characters.

The Fortunate Ones is one of the best novels this year. Where do I even begin? I’m not going to spoil anything because you need to experience this novel on your own.
R. S. Grey is known to writing RomCom but please be warned, this novel will make you cry your eyes out. Piece of advice (from experience), don’t binge read this whole novel in a matter of 2 days because you’re going to find yourself crying at 5 in the morning.
This novel has everything a book needs; romance, humor and a good amount of angst. I don’t know how you do it Mrs. Rachel, you write these incredible novels one after the other.
Please never stop writing. Even though you make me cry (okay and laugh too), you’re one of my favorites.

This author writes with such a fluidity that before you know it, "just one more chapter" has turned into reading the whole book. The characters in this book were phenomenal. I have a series crush on James. I adored how much he loved Brooke.

I hope that Ellie gets her own book.

I’m dying. I’m dead... wait, nope. Quick check of the pulse assures me I am not dead. But this book did kill me. I love how flawed Brooke and James are, both separately and together. They are so beautiful though.

The Fortunate Ones was a breath of fresh air. It’s one of those light, funny books to read in between heavier, angsty reads. The story was engaging and funny–just like the rest of Rachel’s novels.

If you’re a fan of the slow burn romance, then this is right up your alley.

This is such a great read! The characters were so fun and likeable. I thought Brooke was absolutely adorable. James is such a strong character, who knows exactly what he wants out of life. I could barely put this book down and can't wait to go see if Ellie has a book too.

Great book! The characters are funny and human. From the meddling sister, to the bratty tweens at the poolside ever one has some depth and real human aspects. The mother reunion story line was off, it was not be livable and she is a selfish woman. But hey can't have it all.